Foot pain

Under the unspecific term Foot pain various orthopedic problems and diseases that affect the feet are summarized. First of all, the cause of the foot pain must be determined by diagnostics, only then can the therapy be determined.

What is foot pain?

Different types of pain in the foot are summarized under the term foot pain. This means that there is pressure, strain or friction pain in the area of ​​the foot.

Various diseases also cause foot pain, such as the Burning Feet Syndrome, Morton's neuralgia, diabetes or polyneuropathy. In these cases, the foot is only the site of the foot pain, but not the site of the disease.

causes

The therapeutic methods are as numerous as the causes of foot pain can be. First of all, orthopedic problems are among the known causes of sore feet. They start with shoes that are too tight or too tight or too heavy, which leads to flat arches. Heel spurs, warts, or corns between the toes can also cause significant foot pain.

Diabetics suffer from foot pain due to tissue damage. The diabetic foot can also be completely painless. Burning feet syndrome, on the other hand, is probably due to a vitamin and mineral deficiency as a result of nutritional disorders. Here nerve damage is the cause of foot pain. Morton's neuralgia mainly develops on the arched foot. It is promoted by pressure on the plantar nerves. Here the foot pain is concentrated on the forefoot.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compression damage to the rear foot. Achillodynia or achillobursitis is heel pain caused by inflammation or pressure on the Achilles tendon or the formation of a bursa.

Foot pain can also result from the development of a heel spur or degenerative changes in the foot. Well-known causes of foot pain are also Sudeck's disease, so-called erythromelalgia, Koehler's disease and polyneuropathy.

Diseases with this symptom

• Burning Feet Syndrome
• Achillodynia
• Diabetes mellitus
• Obesity
• splayfoot

• Köhler's disease I
• Köhler's disease II
• Morton's neuralgia
• Polyneuropathy
• Heel spur

• Erythromelalgia
• Sudeck's disease
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Diabetic foot syndrome
• Corns

course

The course of the disease in foot pain is different for all the causes mentioned. In some cases there is a burning sensation or a radiating sensation of pain under the sole. In other cases, constant friction or pressure causes local nerve irritation in certain parts of the foot, which, if left untreated, can expand through relieving postures.

In still other cases, only the forefoot or the rear foot or the heel region or the toes are affected by the foot pain. In many cases the disease progresses slowly. The patient with foot pain often does not initially go to the doctor or orthopedic surgeon. He tries to relieve the annoying foot pain by buying more comfortable shoes or evening foot massages.

The foot pain is usually attributed to a standing job or other stressful situations that are regarded as inevitable. A visit to the doctor is only considered when the foot pain intensifies and hinders walking.

Complications

In terms of complication, the whole health disorder should be considered. A complication in the medical sense is a symptom of a disorder or the side effect of a medical preparation when it is used against this health disorder. Complications may therefore arise due to a lack of recognition and in the course of therapy. Foot pain is a symptom of many diseases, from the flu to bone ailments to diabetes. Such diseases can also trigger additional complications.

Foot pain comes from overloading the bones in the foot, injuries or infections. Pain is occasionally provoked by overstretching. Foot pain may be a sign of trivializing or life-threatening diseases. Complications occur more often in those who are physically stressed than in healthy people. In order to avoid this, a medical examination should follow if suspicious signs flare up. In the event of severe complaints or major injuries, the patient should be treated in hospital to avoid further complications.

Further treatment for foot pain or the disorder responsible for it can be worked out there. Foot pain is an initial symptom of many diseases, but a possible complication in diabetes due to nerve damage. A healthy diet, avoiding too many fats and nicotine, as well as routine examinations, for example in the case of arterial disease, can prevent foot pain. Various medications can cause muscle pain and should therefore not be used in diseases with foot pain.

When should you go to the doctor?

Foot pain as a generic term for sometimes very different foot complaints have one thing in common: They suggest that you visit a doctor soon. Those affected should always see their foot pain as a warning sign. The weight of the entire body rests on the feet. Feet are used for locomotion. If they hurt, they will no longer function as necessary for a happy and active life. With foot pain at the latest, people become aware of what their feet mean for them.

The contact person for foot pain can be your family doctor or an orthopedic surgeon. A medical podiatrist, also known as a podiatrist, can only help to a limited extent with foot pain, for example with corns or calluses. Other foot ailments that cause foot pain, such as hallux valgus or ball of the foot, heel spurs, arched feet, splayfoot or arched foot, ingrown toenails or athlete's foot, should be treated by a doctor.

In the case of foot pain, a doctor can also check whether the cause of the symptoms is other than overload or poorly fitting shoes. A pinched nerve can cause foot pain. But diabetes mellitus, gout or rheumatism can also cause foot pain. In addition to the foot pain, a doctor will always treat the underlying disease as well. If necessary, he will refer his patient to a specialist colleague.

In addition to his therapy, a doctor also gives good advice against foot pain and recommends, for example, special shoe insoles.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

The treatment of foot pain looks different, depending on the underlying disease. In the case of burning feet syndrome, you can try substitution treatment with vitamins and minerals. The treatment is usually not very promising.

Orthopedic insoles are useful for foot pain as a result of arched feet or a Morton's neuralgia caused by them. Painkillers are often needed for foot pain of the latter type. If necessary, block the sciatic nerve in this type of foot pain. Pressure relief, surgery or sciatic nerve blockade are also therapeutically indicated for tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Misalignments on the foot due to incorrect footwear and excess bones that lead to severe foot pain must be corrected surgically. Inflammatory processes are treated with medication and protection. Foot pain caused by degenerative processes can be treated with combination therapies. The focus of all therapies is always to relieve the foot so that the foot pain subside.

Outlook & forecast

Temporary foot pain that results from standing or walking will go away on its own as soon as the feet are relieved. However, they occur again with every overuse. If you are overweight, your doctor will recommend weight reduction to relieve your feet.

If a bunion has been diagnosed, it can be treated with mild agents in the early stages. Comfortable shoes and frequent barefoot walking are helpful. The patient can also experience relief through special foot gymnastics. If the hallux valgus has already reached an advanced stage, usually only an operation will help. Night splints and sensorimotor insoles can only provide temporary relief. Pumps or shoes with platform soles should no longer be worn after the diagnosis of a pronounced bunion.

Flat and flat feet are treated with a combination of active and passive measures. On the one hand, the patient learns physiotherapy exercises that strengthen the holding apparatus and stimulate inadequately developed and impaired tendons, muscles and ligaments. This also improves a heel spur, which can also be responsible for considerable pain in the feet. If splayfoot has been diagnosed, orthopedic insoles can stop the forefoot from widening.

prevention

There are a lot of things that can be done to prevent foot pain. Even as a child and adolescent one should wear suitable and well-fitting shoes and, if necessary, orthopedic insoles. Most foot pain is caused by unsuitable, tight, or uncomfortable footwear.

Even high pumps with a pointed forefoot inevitably lead to foot pain. Pressure and friction can cause nerve damage and pressure points. In diabetes, the foot becomes diabetic and foot pain can be caused by tissue damage. Preventive measures against sugar disease include exercise, weight loss, and a healthy diet.

You can do that yourself

Anyone who is exposed to high loads in standing or walking jobs, for example in retail or in the catering trade, should relieve their feet by putting them up after work. Foot baths or foot massages also offer quick help. Members of these professions should pay particular attention to their weight, as the feet suffer from every additional kilo.

If the pain in the feet results from a misalignment of the big toe, it is important to wear comfortable shoes and to walk barefoot more often. If a hallux valgus (bunion) has already formed, not only night splints but also sensorimotor insoles can help.The latter activate the weakened foot muscles and can thus positively influence the toe misalignment.

Regular toe exercises, which strengthen the foot muscles and help the patient to straighten the toes, also provide relief in these cases. Corresponding exercises can be learned from a physiotherapist. Wearing pumps or shoes with platform soles must be avoided in the case of hallux valgus. Walking barefoot also provides relief here. Flat or flat feet are often responsible for the pain in older patients. On the other hand, biomechanical insoles from specialist retailers help, which can also mitigate the consequences of a heel spur.